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Could, should, or would
Could is a possibility or a suggestion, should is advice, and would is what you'd do in an imagined situation or a polite request.
Quick rule
Possible, or a suggestion? Could. Advice? Should. What you'd do in another situation? Would.
A possibility (it could work), a suggestion (we could go out), or a polite request.
Advice, or what you expect to happen: you should rest, it should arrive today.
What you'd do in an imagined situation (I would buy a house), and a polite way to offer or ask: Would you like...?
How to choose
| Question | could | should | would |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does it give advice? | SometimesSometimes | Yes | SometimesSometimes |
| Does it say what you'd do if things were different? | SometimesSometimes | No | Yes |
| Can you say it with "maybe" or "be able to"? | Yes | No | No |
Why it trips people up
Could, should, and would look like past forms, but they mostly talk about the present and future. Could is possibility or a suggestion, should is advice or expectation, and would imagines a different situation or softens a request.
How each one works
Could
Suggesting a plan
We could go to the beach this weekend.
A possibility
That could be the answer.
What you'd be able to do if...
If I had more time, I could learn to paint.
Should
Giving advice
You should call your mom.
What you expect to happen
The package should arrive tomorrow.
Asking for advice
What should I wear tonight?
Would
What you'd do in an imagined case
If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
Offering politely
Would you like some coffee?
Asking someone to do something
Would you close the door, please?
What comes next
We could plus verb: a suggestion
We could order pizza.
should plus verb, no to
You should try it.
if plus past, would plus verb
If I had a dog, I would walk it every day.
Would you like...? to offer
Would you like a ride?
Almost the same
You could ask Ana.
An idea: one option, no pressure.
You should ask Ana.
Advice: you think it is the best move.
I would ask Ana.
What you'd do in their place.
In a conversation
- A:
I can't decide what to do this weekend.
- B:
You could visit your cousins in the country.
- A:
Would they mind if I just showed up?
- B:
Maybe. You should call them first.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Could you like some tea?
Right: Would you like some tea?
Offers with like take would: Would you like...? Could asks whether something is possible.
Wrong: Should you mind if I sat here?
Right: Would you mind if I sat here?
Would you mind...? is the fixed polite pattern. Should you starts a formal if-clause instead: Should you need help, call us.
Memory trick
Swap in a paraphrase. Able to, or maybe? Could. Better to? Should. Imagining it? Would.
It depends
- Could you or would you
- Could you...? asks if someone is able, and Would you...? asks if they are willing, but in practice both are polite. The could you vs would you page goes deeper.
- Should in a formal condition
- In formal English, should can open a condition: Should you need help, call us. It means the same as if you need help.
FAQ
Could or would: which is more polite?
Both are polite. Could you...? asks if someone is able; Would you...? asks if they are willing. In practice the difference is small, and either works with please.
Should or would: what is the difference?
Should is advice or expectation: You should go. Would is hypothetical: I would go if I had time. If I were you, I would... is advice phrased as what you'd do.